1. Read the given extracts and answer the questions:                                                   (6)

Those who prepare green wars,

wars with gas, wars with fire,

victory with no survivors,

would put on clean clothes

and walk about with their brothers

in the shade, doing nothing.                   (Keeping Quiet)

(i) Explains 'Victory with no survivors'.                                                                          (1)

(ii) Which of the following expressions has the same literary device as used in "green          

wars, wars with gas, wars with fire".                                                                               (1)

(a) And the fever called 'living' is over at last

(b) It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

(c) A lonely cab-horse steams and stamps

(d) But Custard cried for a nice safe cage

(iii) Complete the following sentence with reference to the extract.

The phrase 'clean clothes' here symbolises………….

(iv) Select the correct option to fill in the blank.

By green wars, the poet refers to ........ (pollutions caused by/wars between) nations

causing damage to the natural landscape.

(v) Read the Assertion and the Reason below, with reference to the given extract.

Assertion The poet takes a stand against wars and all violent acts.

Reason The poet states that wars and victory is vain.

Choose the correct option regarding their relationship.                                         (1)

(a) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

(b) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.

(c) The Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.

(d) The Assertion is false, but the Reason is true.

(vi) What message do you infer from the given stanza?                                        (1)

Answers

1. Keeping Quiet

(i) 'Victory with no survivors' implies a pyrrhic victory, where the destruction caused leaves no one to celebrate or benefit from the win. [A Pyrrhic victory is a victory that comes at such a great cost that it's almost like a defeat. The term is often used to describe a success that's not worth winning because the losses are so significant.]

(ii) The correct expression is

(b) It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, as it also employs parallelism.

(iii) 'Clean clothes' symbolize purification, a fresh start, and possibly a life devoid of violence.

(iv) By 'green wars,' the poet refers to pollutions caused by nations causing damage to the natural landscape.

(v) Correct Option:

(a) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

(vi) The message conveyed is to embrace peace and coexistence rather than engaging in futile conflicts.

 2. Read the given extracts and answer the questions:                                                   (6)

I saw my mother, beside me,

doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that

of a corpse and realised with pain

that she was as old as she looked                       (My Mother at Sixty-Six)

(i) Select the phrase that suggests the following.                                                  (1)

The author realised that her mother was nearing her death.

(ii) Select the option that has the same literary device used in the extract.              (1)

(a) I am as happy as I can be.

(b) Life is a roller coaster ride.

(c) Nature is God's gift to us.

(d) The dazzling divas enchanted all.

(iii) Complete the following sentences with reference to the extract.                     (1)

The pain the poet is feeling is the pain of

(iv) Select the correct option to fill in the blank. (1)

The poet doesn't want to stay away from her mother she feels………….

(guilty/ashamed) of leaving her mother behind, knowing that her mother might die soon.

(v) Read the Assertion and the Reason below, with reference to the given extract.  (1)

Assertion The poet does not want to leave her mother and move on in her life.

Reason The poet realises that her parents had aged and is pained to leave her behind.

Choose the correct option regarding their relationship.

(a) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

(b) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.

(c) The Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.

(d) The Assertion is false, but the Reason is true.

(vi) State in one sentence what the use of the phrase 'ashen face' indicates to you.                  (1)

Answers

2. My Mother at Sixty-Six

(i) The phrase is her face ashen like that of a corpse, suggesting the nearness of death.

(ii) The literary device used is

(a) I am as happy as I can be, showing a simile similar to the extract.

(iii) The pain felt by the poet is the fear of separation and her mother's mortality.

(iv) The poet feels guilty of leaving her mother behind, knowing her end is near.

(v) Correct Option:

(a) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

(vi) The phrase 'ashen face' indicates the mother’s frailty and inevitable mortality.

3. Read the given extracts and answer the questions

"Not by you, but by someone who does not know him. I have my own private assassins.

Suppose I send two of them to your house tonight or better, any night. You need know

nothing about it. It is now warm - what would be more natural than that you should

leave the outer partition of the white man's room open to the garden while he sleeps?" (The Enemy)

(i) Complete the following sentence.                                                                  (1)

The white man was hated because……….

(ii) The reference to the white man in the extract indicates a cultural disparity. Do you

agree? What is this cultural disparity?                                                                 (1)

(iii) Select the appropriate option.                                                                       (1)

"I have my own private assassins. Suppose I send two of them to your house tonight

or better, any night."

(a) Describes the General's care and kindness

(b) Indicates the ignorance and self-centred nature of the General

(c) Shows the General's humanist and patriotic side

(d) Creates a suspense air around the General

(iv) What do you infer from the last line of the extract?                                       (1)

Answers

3. The Enemy

(i) The white man was hated because he represented the enemy nation in war.

(ii) Yes, this cultural disparity highlights the opposing views on loyalty, race, and humanity during war.

(iii) Correct Option:

(b) Indicates the ignorance and self-centred nature of the General.

(iv) The last line signifies the General's cold indifference to human life while prioritizing convenience and power.

4. Read the given extracts and answer the questions                                        (4)

Students on Ice, the programme I was working with on the Shokalskiy, aims to do exactly

this by taking high school students to the ends of the world and providing them with

inspiring educational opportunities which will help them foster a new understanding

and respect for our planet. It's been in operation for six years now, headed by Canadian

Geoff Green, who got tired of carting celebrities and retired, rich, curiosity-seekers who

could only 'give' back in a limited way.

With Students on Ice, he offers the future generation of policy-makers a life-changing

experience at an age when they're ready to absorb, learn and most importantly, act.

(Journey to the End of the Earth)

(i) Complete the following sentence with reference to the extract.

Students on Ice is a programme which was started by Geoff Green to……….                     (1)

(ii) List any one emotion that students must have felt in the Students on Ice Programme.      (1)

(iii) According to the extract, Green chose the high school students for the programme as   (1)

(a) he wanted candidates who were physically fit.

(b) he wanted them to have an opportunity to learn more about the planet.

(c) he wanted young minds that he could mould to his will.

(d) he wanted to start a colony on the Southern pole.

(iv) Why did Greene favour students against the rich for the Antarctica tour?                         (1)

Answers

4. Journey to the End of the Earth

(i) Students on Ice was started to provide educational experiences to foster understanding and respect for our planet.

(ii) One emotion students felt was awe at the pristine beauty of Antarctica.

(iii) Correct Option:

(b) He wanted them to learn more about the planet and its fragility.

(iv) Green preferred students because they had the potential to act on their learnings, unlike the rich who only sought curiosity or leisure.

5. Read the given extracts and answer the questions: (6)

The news of Gandhi's advent and of the nature of his mission spread quickly through

Muzaffarpur and to Champaran. Sharecroppers from Champaran began arriving on foot

and by conveyance to see their champion. Muzaffarpur lawyers called on Gandhi to brief

him; they frequently represented peasant groups in court, they told him about their cases and reported the size of their fee.                                                                                  (Indigo)

(i) Why is the reference to the lawyers' fee important?                                                     (1)

(ii) Select the correct option from those given in bracket to fill in the blank.

The cases referred to in the extract were the cases fought against……………

(East India Company/the British Landlords).                                                                   (1)

(iii) Complete the following suitably.                                                                              (1)

They told him about their cases. The phrase 'their cases' refers to………….

(iv) What does the fact that the sharecroppers from Champaran began arriving on foot show? (1)

(v) Based on the above extract, it is True for the lawyers that………….                           (1)

(a) The lawyers wanted to help the poor.

(b) The lawyers stood with Gandhiji in his mission.

(c) The lawyers were apathetic to the condition of the poor.

(d) All of the above

(vi) What does the following line from the extract showcase?                                          (1)

The news of Gandhi's advent and of the nature of his mission spread quickly ....

(a) seriousness of the problem

(b) popularity of the problem

(c) Gandhi's popularity

(d) Importance of the event related to the problem

Answers

5. Indigo

(i) The reference to lawyers' fees underlines the exploitative practices and insensitivity of some professionals.(ii) The cases were fought against the British Landlords.

(iii) 'Their cases' refers to the legal disputes of sharecroppers against exploitative landlords.

(iv) The sharecroppers' arrival on foot reflects their desperation and trust in Gandhi's leadership.

(v) Correct Option:

(b) The lawyers stood with Gandhiji in his mission.

(vi) Correct Option:

(d) Importance of the event related to the problem.

6. Read the given extracts and answer the questions: (6)

When I saw who it was, I said, "Excuse me, but aren't you Danny Casey?" And he looked

sort of surprised. And he said, "Yes, that's right. And I knew it must be him because he

had the accent, you know, like when they interviewed him on the television. So I asked

him for an autograph for little Derek but neither of us had any paper or a pen. So then we

just talked a bit. About the clothes in Royce's window. He seemed lonely. After all, it's a

long way from the West of Ireland."                                            (Going Places)

(i) Why did Geoff doubt Sophie's claims about meeting Danny Casey?                             (1)

(ii) Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.                         (1)

Danny Casey could not give Sophie an autograph because they did not have any paper or pen. This imagery is……………(vivid/vain) that it seems that Sophie had really met the athlete.           (1)

(iii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate explanation, as per the extract.             (1)

The speaker said, "It was nothing like that, Geoff" because………….

(iv) Rationalise to support the given opinion.

Sophie - the speaker is a very imaginative girl.

(v) How did Sophie know that it was Danny Casey?                                                        (1)

(a) As he had a football in his hands

(b) As he was moving his feet like a footballer

(c) As his accent matched Casey's

(d) As he was wearing football dress

(vi) For whom did Sophie ask Danny to give autograph?                                                 (1)

(a) For Geoff

(b) For Jansie

(c) For her mother

(d) For little Derek

Answers

6. Going Places

(i) Geoff doubted Sophie because her story seemed highly unrealistic and fantastical.

(ii) This imagery is vivid, as it paints a realistic yet fictional interaction.

(iii) The speaker denied any romantic involvement to maintain credibility.

(iv) Sophie’s imagination depicts her as a dreamer escaping mundane reality.

(v) Correct Option:

(c) His accent matched Casey's.

(vi) Correct Option:

(d) For little Derek.

7. Answer the following six questions in about 40-50 words each. (5 × 2 = 10)

(i) "If he knew its meaning - lord of the universe - he would have a hard time believing it."

Describe the irony in Saheb's name? (Lost Spring)

Answer

(i) "If he knew its meaning - lord of the universe - he would have a hard time believing it." Describe the irony in Saheb's name. (Lost Spring)Saheb's name, meaning "lord of the universe," is ironic as his life is mired in poverty and deprivation. Instead of wielding power or control, he scavenges garbage for survival, reflecting the stark contrast between the grandeur of his name and the harsh reality of his life​.

(ii) "The reaction to Stephen Spender at Gemini Studios was no longer a mystery." Explain

why Stephen Spender visited Gemini Studios. (Poets and Pancakes)

Answer

(ii) "The reaction to Stephen Spender at Gemini Studios was no longer a mystery." Explain why Stephen Spender visited Gemini Studios. (Poets and Pancakes)Stephen Spender, an English poet, visited Gemini Studios to address its workers about literature and freedom. However, the staff, unaware of his literary significance, misunderstood his purpose. This revealed their disconnect from the intellectual world and their assumptions about foreign visitors​.

(iii) "but all I said was, see you soon, Amma"

Elucidate how the pain of separation is expressed both literally and metaphorically in

'My Mother at Sixty-Six'.

Answer

(iii) "But all I said was, see you soon, Amma." Elucidate how the pain of separation is expressed in 'My Mother at Sixty-Six'.The poet Kamala Das expresses her pain metaphorically and literally by comparing her mother’s ashen face to a corpse, symbolizing death. Her restrained goodbye, "see you soon, Amma," cloaks her fear of losing her mother in hope and affection, masking her deep sorrow​.

(iv) What evidence from the last lines reveal that Aunt Jennifer's Tigers does not end on a

note of hope? (Aunt Jennifer's Tiger)

Answer

(iv) What evidence from the last lines reveals that Aunt Jennifer's Tigers does not end on a note of hope? (Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers)In the poem’s last lines, the poet illustrates that Aunt Jennifer's death won’t liberate her from the oppression she faced in life. However, her tigers will continue to symbolize her unrealized freedom, highlighting the permanence of her struggles and the transient nature of her defiance​.

(v) "We must guard it among us and never forget it"

What opinions did M Hamel hold with regards to one's mother tongue? (The Last Lesson)

Answer

(v) "We must guard it among us and never forget it." What opinions did M Hamel hold regarding one's mother tongue? (The Last Lesson)M. Hamel passionately believed in preserving one's mother tongue, equating it to the key to cultural and personal freedom. He lamented the neglect of French and emphasized its beauty and logical structure, urging the people to cherish and protect it against external dominance​.

(vi) 'From the beginning, however, I had an aversion to the water when I was in it.'

What does it reveal about Douglas' fear of water? (Deep water)

Answer

(vi) "From the beginning, however, I had an aversion to the water when I was in it." What does it reveal about Douglas' fear of water? (Deep Water)Douglas’ aversion to water stemmed from a near-drowning experience in his childhood, which scarred him emotionally. His fear was deep-seated, highlighting how early traumas can manifest as lifelong phobias. Overcoming it later was a testament to his resilience and determination​.

8. Answer the following three questions in about 40-50 words each. (2 x 2 = 4)

(i) Do you think an author who induces several instances of satire in a story faces the risk of

being too cynical? Explain. (The Tiger King)

(ii) The conversation the two women had at the bus stop affected Derry deeply. Justify.

(On the Face of It)

(iii) Sadao and Hana have a moral compass which wages them to save the prisoner's life.

Do we all need this moral compass? Why? (The Enemy)

Answers

(i) Do you think an author who induces several instances of satire in a story faces the risk of being too cynical? Explain. (The Tiger King)Excessive satire can risk the author appearing overly cynical, overshadowing the story's core themes. However, in The Tiger King, Kalki balances satire with humor and irony to critique power and arrogance effectively, ensuring the narrative remains engaging without alienating readers with excessive pessimism​.

(ii) The conversation the two women had at the bus stop affected Derry deeply. Justify. (On the Face of It)The women's conversation revealed society's superficial judgments about appearance, striking a chord with Derry, who struggled with self-acceptance. It deepened his realization of the biases he faced and strengthened his resolve to embrace life fully, inspired by Mr. Lamb's positive outlook and encouragement​.

(iii) Sadao and Hana have a moral compass which wages them to save the prisoner's life. Do we all need this moral compass? Why? (The Enemy)Yes, a moral compass guides individuals to act ethically, even in challenging situations. Sadao and Hana’s decision to save the prisoner exemplifies humanity's universal values over cultural or political divides, highlighting the importance of compassion and integrity in building a just and empathetic society​.

9. Answer the following two questions in about 120-150 words. (5)

(i) After reading 'A Roadside Stand' and 'Indigo' you realise that both the village people and

peasants have been oppressed or exploited by the influential group of people.

As a social activist, you have to write an article in a newspaper on the need to amplify the

voices of the common people.

You may begin like this

Social inequality has persisted in the society…………

Answers

Social Inequality: The Need to Amplify the Voices of the Common People

By XYZ

Social inequality has persisted in society, silencing the voices of the underprivileged for generations. In A Roadside Stand, Robert Frost poignantly highlights the plight of rural villagers who long for dignity and economic upliftment, only to face neglect from the urban elite. Similarly, in Indigo, the exploitation of Champaran’s sharecroppers by British landlords underscores the systemic oppression of powerless peasants.

These narratives urge us to recognize the disparity between the privileged and the marginalized. Amplifying the voices of common people requires proactive measures like equitable education, access to justice, and platforms for expression. Empowering the oppressed ensures they can demand their rights and participate in decisions affecting their lives.

As a society, we must prioritize inclusion and equality, fostering a world where every individual, regardless of their background, can aspire to a dignified and prosperous future. The need for advocacy and collective action has never been more urgent.

OR

(ii) 'My Mother at Sixty-Six' and 'Deep Water' depict two stories about different types of fear

that people experience and its impact on them. Justify the statement with reference to the

poem 'My Mother at Sixty-Six' and the text 'Deep Water'.

You may begin like this

Fears are often experienced by people in different forms and severity.

Answers

Fears: A Reflection on Their Forms and Impact

Fears are often experienced by people in different forms and severity. In My Mother at Sixty-Six, Kamala Das expresses the emotional fear of losing a loved one. Observing her mother’s frailty, the poet is overwhelmed by the inevitability of separation and mortality. This fear manifests as silent anguish but is masked with hopeful words, underscoring the universal struggle of coping with life’s transience.

In contrast, William Douglas’ Deep Water delves into a physical and psychological fear. Douglas recounts his traumatic near-drowning experience and the deep-seated aversion to water it triggered. This fear, however, is ultimately conquered through perseverance and willpower, highlighting the human capacity to overcome challenges.

Both works underscore the profound impact fear has on individuals, whether emotional or physical, and the resilience required to confront and accept these fears, shaping personal growth and understanding.

10. Answer the following two questions in about 120-150 words. (5)

(i) "The modern world, as has been said, is full of stress, anxieties and worries for innumerable things. In the face of these stresses, we want an escape as did Charley in the story The Third Level. Charley's escape, however, is the past."

You read the given lines in a journal. Write what do you think about the given opinion.

You can begin like this

The modern world is full of fear, insecurity, war, worry and stress.

Answers

Escaping the Stress of the Modern World

The modern world is full of fear, insecurity, war, worry, and stress, driving people to seek escapes into more comforting realms. In The Third Level, Charley’s yearning for the past reflects a universal human desire to retreat from present-day pressures into a simpler, more peaceful time. His discovery of the third level at Grand Central Station—a portal to 1894—symbolizes this escape into nostalgia.

Charley’s longing for a world free from the complexities of modern life resonates deeply. The past, with its slower pace and perceived innocence, offers solace from the chaos of the present. However, while nostalgia can provide temporary relief, it is not a solution. The story reminds us of the importance of addressing the root causes of our stresses rather than merely escaping them.

Ultimately, the balance lies in cherishing the simplicity of the past while actively improving our present for a less stressful future.

OR

(ii) "Where there is oppression, there will be resistance." This statement stands true for the life experiences of Zitkala - Sa and Bama, both of whom had gone to various ordeals that had changed their ways of thinking and living. People like them teach us to face challenges and rise above everything.

Having read their stories, you had written a paragraph on "Where there is oppression, there will be resistance". Including how the stories of Zitkala- Sa and Bama teaches the saying, frame the paragraph. You may begin like this

It is true that "Where there is oppression, there will be resistance."…………………..

Answers

Where There Is Oppression, There Will Be Resistance

It is true that "Where there is oppression, there will be resistance." The life stories of Zitkala-Sa and Bama illustrate this profound truth. Zitkala-Sa, in The Cutting of My Long Hair, resists the cultural annihilation imposed by the colonizers, who stripped Native Americans of their identity and dignity. Her inner turmoil and outward defiance symbolize the unyielding spirit to preserve one's cultural heritage.

Similarly, in We Too Are Human Beings, Bama portrays her resistance against the caste-based discrimination prevalent in her society. Her journey from realizing the injustice to excelling in education highlights how self-awareness and determination can overcome systemic oppression.

Both stories underscore the idea that oppression often fuels resilience and the fight for justice. They teach us the value of confronting challenges, advocating for equality, and inspiring others to rise above adversity to create a fairer world.